Method and systems to optimize the target en-dc node selection for an extended 5gnr coverage

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for extending coverage of a telecommunication network includes a user device and a cell site. The cell site includes a node management system communicatively coupled to the user device. The node management system is structured to receive one or more signal strengths associated with one or more target nodes, determine the one or more signal strengths are within a delta range threshold, determine one or more multi-technology thresholds associated with the one or more target nodes, determine a lowest multi-technology threshold based on the one or more multi-technology thresholds, and assign the user device to the one or more target nodes associated with the lowest multi-technology threshold determined.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.17/241,133, filed Apr. 27, 2021, and entitled method and systems tooptimize the target EN-DC node selection for an extended 5GNR coverage,the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to extending coverage of atelecommunication network, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

In aspects set forth herein, the signal strength(s) associated with oneor more target nodes are received. Typically, a user device is assignedto a target node based on the signal strength. As the user deviceoperates in a mobile state (e.g., moves across a telecommunicationsnetwork) and reaches the edge of a target node, the user device isre-assigned to a different target node. However, here, a user device isassigned to the target node based on the magnitude of a multi-technologythreshold (e.g., B1 threshold), which increases the geographic area inwhich the user device may operate in a mobile state, reducing the needfor a hand-off event (e.g., an event that re-initializes or otherwiseidentifies another target node, cell site, etc., to which the userdevice is re-assigned).

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used in isolation as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, andwherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a network environment in accordance withone or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a network environment including a cell site andnode management system in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a network environment including a plurality ofcell sites and a node management system in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method for extending coverageof a telecommunication network in accordance with an example embodiment;and

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary computing device suitable for use inimplementations of aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the invention is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.The claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to includedifferent steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones describedin this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particularorder among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and exceptwhen the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

In certain aspects, methods are provided for extending coverage of atelecommunication network (e.g., a 5G New Radio network or any othersuitable network). A determination is made that the strength of thesignal(s) associated with the target node(s) are within a delta rangethreshold. A multi-technology threshold is determined for the targetnode(s) associated with signal strength(s) within the delta rangethreshold. The user device is assigned to the target node based on themagnitude of the multi-technology threshold, which increases thegeographic area in which the user device may operate in a mobile state.

Advantageously, providing methods and systems for extending the coverageof a telecommunication network (e.g., a 5G NR network) by assigning theuser device to a target node based on the magnitude of themulti-technology threshold increases the geographic area in which theuser device may operate in a mobile state without the need for a handoffevent, re-initialization of target node selection, or disruption.

In one aspect, a method is provided for extending the coverage of atelecommunication network. The method includes receiving, by a nodemanagement system communicatively coupled to a user device, one or moresignal strengths associated with one or more target nodes. The methodalso includes determining the one or more signal strengths are within adelta range threshold. The method further includes determining one ormore multi-technology thresholds associated with the one or more targetnodes. The method further includes determining a lowest multi-technologythreshold based on the one or more multi-technology thresholds. Themethod further includes assigning the user device to the target nodeassociated with the lowest multi-technology threshold determined.

In another aspect, a computer-readable storage media havingcomputer-executable instructions embodied thereon is provided that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the processors to performvarious steps. The processors are caused to receive, by a first cellsite comprising a node management system communicatively coupled to auser device, one or more signal strengths associated with one or moretarget nodes, the one or more target nodes corresponding to one or moresecondary cell sites. The processors are also caused to determine, bythe node management system, the one or more signal strengths are withina delta range threshold. The processors are further caused to determineone or more multi-technology thresholds associated with the one or moretarget nodes. The processors are further caused to determine a lowestmulti-technology threshold based on the one or more multi-technologythresholds. The processors are further caused to assign the user deviceto the one or more target nodes associated with the lowestmulti-technology threshold determined.

In yet another aspect, a system is provided for extending coverage of atelecommunication network. The system includes a user device and a cellsite comprising a node management system communicatively coupled to theuser device. The node management system receives one or more signalstrengths associated with one or more target nodes. The node managementsystem also determines the one or more signal strengths within a deltarange threshold. The node management system further determines one ormore multi-technology thresholds associated with the one or more targetnodes. The node management system further determines a lowestmulti-technology threshold based on the one or more multi-technologythresholds. The node management system further assigns the user deviceto the one or more target nodes associated with the lowestmulti-technology threshold determined.

Throughout this disclosure, several acronyms and shorthand notations areused to aid the understanding of certain concepts pertaining to theassociated system and services. These acronyms and shorthand notationsare intended to help provide an easy methodology of communicating theideas expressed herein and are not meant to limit the scope of aspectsherein.

Embodiments herein may be embodied as, among other things: a method,system, or set of instructions embodied on one or more computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and nonremovable media, and contemplate media readableby a database, a switch, and various other network devices.Computer-readable media includes media implemented in any way forstoring information. Examples of stored information includecomputer-useable instructions, data structures, program circuitry, andother data representations. Media examples include RAM, ROM, EEPROM,flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs(DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magneticstorage devices. These technologies can store data momentarily,temporarily, or permanently. Embodiments may take the form of a hardwareembodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Someembodiments may take the form of a computer-program product thatincludes computer-useable or computer-executable instructions embodiedon one or more computer-readable media.

“Computer-readable media” may be any available media and may includevolatile and nonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removablemedia. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable mediamay include computer storage media and communication media.

“Computer storage media” may include, without limitation, volatile andnonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media,implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program circuitry,or other data. In this regard, computer storage media may include, butis not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks(DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which may be used to store the desired information and which maybe accessed by the computing device 500 shown in FIG. 5 . Computerstorage media does not comprise a signal per se.

“Communication media” may include, without limitation, computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program circuitry, or other data in amodulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and may include any information delivery media. As usedherein, the term “modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has oneor more of its attributes set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirectwired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radiofrequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of anyof the above also may be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

A “network” refers to a network comprised of wireless and wiredcomponents that provide wireless communications service coverage to oneor more UE. The network may comprise one or more base stations, one ormore cell sites (i.e., managed by a base station), one or more celltowers (i.e., having an antenna) associated with each base station orcell site, a gateway, a backhaul server that connects two or more basestations, a database, a power supply, sensors, and other components notdiscussed herein, in various embodiments.

The terms “base station” and “cell site” may be used interchangeablyherein to refer to a defined wireless communications coverage area(i.e., a geographic area) serviced by a base station. It will beunderstood that one base station may control one cell site oralternatively, one base station may control multiple cell sites. Asdiscussed herein, a base station is deployed in the network to controland facilitate, via one or more antenna arrays, the broadcast,transmission, synchronization, and receipt of one or more wirelesssignals in order to communicate with, verify, authenticate, and providewireless communications service coverage to one or more UE that requestto join and/or are connected to a network.

An “access point” may refer to hardware, software, devices, or othercomponents at a base station, cell site, and/or cell tower having anantenna, an antenna array, a radio, a transceiver, and/or a controller.Generally, an access point may communicate directly with user equipmentaccording to one or more access technologies (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G,mMIMO) as discussed hereinafter.

The terms “user equipment,” “UE,” and “user device” are usedinterchangeably to refer to a device employed by an end-user thatcommunicates using a network. UE generally includes one or more antennacoupled to a radio for exchanging (e.g., transmitting and receiving)transmissions with a nearby base station, via an antenna array of thebase station. In embodiments, UE may take on any variety of devices,such as a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a netbook, amobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a wearabledevice, a fitness tracker, or any other device capable of communicatingusing one or more resources of the network. UE may include componentssuch as software and hardware, a processor, a memory, a displaycomponent, a power supply or power source, a speaker, a touch-inputcomponent, a keyboard, and the like. In embodiments, some of the UEdiscussed herein may include current UE capable of using 5G and havingbackward compatibility with prior access technologies, current UEcapable of using 5G and lacking backward compatibility with prior accesstechnologies, and legacy UE that is not capable of using 5G.

The terms “radio,” “controller,” “antenna,” and “antenna array” are usedinterchangeably to refer to one or more software and hardware componentsthat facilitate sending and receiving wireless radio-frequency signals,for example, based on instructions from a base station. A radio may beused to initiate and generate information that is then sent out throughthe antenna array, for example, where the radio and antenna array may beconnected by one or more physical paths. Generally an antenna arraycomprises a plurality of individual antenna elements. The antennasdiscussed herein may be dipole antennas, having a length, for example,of ¼, ½, 1, or 1½ wavelength. The antennas may be monopole, loop,parabolic, traveling-wave, aperture, yagi-uda, conical spiral, helical,conical, radomes, horn, and/or apertures, or any combination thereof.The antennas may be capable of sending and receiving transmission viaFD-MIMO, Massive MIMO, 3G, 4G, 5G, and/or 802.11 protocols andtechniques.

Additionally, it will be understood that terms such as “first,”“second,” and “third” are used herein for the purposes of clarity indistinguishing between elements or features, but the terms are not usedherein to import, imply, or otherwise limit the relevance, importance,quantity, technological functions, sequence, order, and/or operations ofany element or feature unless specifically and explicitly stated assuch.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network environment 100 suitable foruse in implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The networkenvironment 100 is but one example of a suitable network environment andis not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of the disclosure. Neither should the network environment100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating toany one or combination of components illustrated.

The network environment 100 provides service to one or more user devices130, 140, and 150. In some embodiments, the network environment 100 maybe a telecommunication network (e.g., a telecommunication network suchas, but not limited to, a wireless telecommunication network), orportion thereof. The network environment 100 may include one or moredevices and components, such as base stations, servers, switches,relays, amplifiers, databases, nodes, etc. which are not shown so as tonot confuse other aspects of the present disclosure. Those devices andcomponents may provide connectivity in a variety of implementations. Inaddition the network environment 100 may be utilized in a variety ofmanners, such as a single network, multiple networks, or as a network ofnetworks, but, ultimately, is shown as simplified as possible to avoidthe risk of confusing other aspects of the present disclosure.

The network environment 100 may include or otherwise may be accessiblethrough a cell site 110. The cell site 110 may include one or moreantennas, base transmitter stations, radios, transmitter/receivers,digital signal processors, control electronics, GPS equipment, powercabinets or power supply, base stations, charging stations, etc. suchthat the cell site 110 may provide a communication link between the oneor more user devices 130, 140, and 150 and other components, systems,equipment, and/or devices of the network environment 100. The basestation and/or a computing device (e.g., whether local or remote)associated with the base station may manage or otherwise control theoperations of components of the cell site 110.

In some embodiments, the cell site 110 may be operable in a non-standalone mode. In the non-stand alone (NSA) mode the network environment100 may take the form of, for example, an E-UTRAN New Radio-DualConnectivity (EN-DC) network. In an EN-DC network, a user device (e.g.,the user device 130, 140, and/or 150) may connect to or otherwise accessa 4G, LTE, 5G, or any other suitable network simultaneously. In thestand alone mode, the network environment 100 may take the form of a 5Gnetwork or any other suitable network.

In some embodiments, the network environment 100 may include a nodemanagement system (e.g., the node management system 120). The nodemanagement system may include one or more nodes (e.g., one or moremaster nodes) communicatively coupled to the user device(s) 130, 140,and/or 150 such that the node management system may be structured totransmit to and receive requests and/or data from one or more userdevices. The one or more nodes may include an Evolved Node B (e.g.,eNodeB or eNB), a Next Generation Node B (e.g., gNodeB or gNB), acombination thereof, or any other suitable node structured tocommunicatively couple to the user device(s) 130, 140, and/or 150.

In some embodiments, the user device 130, 140, and/or 150 may take theform of a wireless or mobile device capable of communication via thenetwork environment 100. For example, the user device 130 may take theform of a mobile device capable of communication via a telecommunicationnetwork such as, but not limited to, a wireless telecommunicationnetwork. In this regard, the user device may be any mobile computingdevice that communicates by way of a network, for example, a 3G, CDMA,4G, LTE, WiMAX, 5G or any other type of network.

In some embodiments, the network environment 100 may be structured toconnect subscribers to a service provider or a plurality of serviceproviders. Alternatively or additionally, the network environment 100may be associated with a specific telecommunication provider thatprovides services (e.g. LTE, voice, location, etc.) to one or more userdevices 130, 140, and/or 150. For example, the user devices 130, 140,and 150 may be subscribers to a telecommunication service provider, inwhich the user devices 130, 140, and 150 are registered or subscribed toreceive voice and data services over the network environment 100. Thenetwork environment 100 may include any communication network providingvoice and/or data service(s), such as, for example, a 1x circuit voice,a 3G network (e.g., CDMA, CDMA 2000, WCDMA, GSM, UMTS, a 4G network(LTE, WiMAX, HSDPA), or a 5G network.

Having described the network environment 100 and components operatingtherein, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the network environment 100 is but one example of a suitablenetwork and is not intended to limit the scope of use or functionalityof aspects described herein. Similarly, the network environment 100should not be interpreted as imputing any dependency and/or anyrequirements with regard to each component and combination(s) ofcomponents illustrated in FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art that the number, interactions, and physicallocation of components illustrated in FIG. 1 are examples, as othermethods, hardware, software, components, and devices for establishingone or more communication links between the various components may beutilized in implementations of the present invention. It will beunderstood to those of ordinary skill in the art that the components maybe connected in various manners, hardwired or wireless, and may useintermediary components that have been omitted or not included in FIG. 1for simplicity’s sake. As such, the absence of components from FIG. 1should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention to excludeadditional components and combination(s) of components. Moreover, thoughcomponents may be represented as singular components or may berepresented in a particular quantity in FIG. 1 , it will be appreciatedthat some aspects may include a plurality of devices and/or componentssuch that FIG. 1 should not be considered as limiting the quantity ofany device and/or component.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the network environment 200 (e.g., atelecommunication network such as, but not limited to, a wirelesstelecommunication network) according to an example embodiment. In thepresent embodiment, the network environment 200 includes the cell site110, node management system 120, user device 130, and one or more targetnodes 240, 250, and 260. Although some of the components in the networkenvironment 200 are depicted as single components (e.g., a single cellsite, user device, or node management system), in some embodiments, thenetwork environment 200 may include a plurality of such components from1 to N.

In some examples, the node management system 120 may send or otherwisetransmit a measurement request to the user device 130. The measurementrequest may include a B1 measurement object that may request that theuser device 130 measure the signal strength of one or more target nodes.The node management system 120 may be structured to receive one or moresignal strengths. As used herein, the term “signal strength” may be usedto refer to a measure of at least one of a Reference Signal ReceivedPower (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Receive StrengthSignal Indicator (RSSI), or any other signal measurement. Industrypractice currently provides that RSRQ is measured in decibel (dB) andRSRP is measured in decibel relative to a milliwatt (dBm). Forsimplicity, RSRP will be used for the remainder of the disclosure forreferences to signal strength, but in no way should signal strengthmeasurements be interpreted to be limited to just RSRP.

The node management system 120 may include one or nodes. For example,the node management system 120 may include or otherwise take the form ofan Evolved Node B (e.g., eNodeB or eNB). In some embodiments, the nodemanagement system 120 may be included within the cell site 110, externalto the cell site 110, or otherwise communicatively coupled to the cellsite 110. The node management system 120 may allocate radio frequency,or a portion thereof, to user device(s). In further embodiments, thenode management system 120 may be structured to manage the operation ofone or more antennas (e.g., Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO)operations). Alternatively or additionally, the node management system120 may manage the signaling (e.g., Orthogonal Frequency-DivisionMultiplexing (OFDM) signaling) within the network 200. The nodemanagement system 120 may manage a Radio Access Network (RAN) or anyother suitable network.

In some embodiments, the node management system 120 may becommunicatively coupled to the user device 130 such that the nodemanagement system 120 (e.g., eNodeB or eNB) may receive the one or moresignal strengths from any user device within a geographic area. Forexample, the node management system 120 may receive one or more signalstrengths reported by the user device 130. In this regard, the userdevice 130 may report signal strengths with RSRPs measuring -90 dBm, -93dBm, and -94 dBm to the node management system 120. Alternatively oradditionally, the node management system 120 (e.g., eNodeB) may retrieveone or more signal strengths from the user device 130. In someembodiments, the node management system 120 may identify the one or moresignal strengths associated with one target node 240 or a plurality oftarget nodes 240, 250, and 260 within a geographic area.

A signal strength may be associated with a target node 240. Accordingly,one or more signal strengths may be associated with one or more targetnodes 240, 250, and 260. A target node may include a secondary RAN node,secondary gNB, SgNB node, secondary node, or any other suitable node.For example, -90 dBm may be the signal strength (e.g., measured in RSRP)of the target node 240 (e.g., the target SgNB node). The signalstrength-93 dBm may be the signal strength of the target node 250 and-94dBm may be the signal strength of the target node 260.

In some embodiments, the one or more target nodes may correspond to oneor more frequency bands. A frequency is the number of times per secondthat a radio wave completes a cycle. As used herein the term “frequencyband” may be used to refer to a frequency range that includes a lowerfrequency and an upper frequency within which the user device 130 mayconnect to the network environment 200 such as, but not limited to, atelecommunication network or a portion thereof. The frequency range maybe measured by the wavelength in the range. In this regard, for example,the target node 240 (e.g., target SgNB node) may correspond to the n260frequency band with a frequency of 39 GHz. The target node 250 maycorrespond to the n41 frequency band with a frequency of 2500 MHz. Thetarget node 260 may correspond to the n71 frequency band with afrequency of 600 MHz.

In some embodiments, the cell site 110 may be associated with one ormore target nodes (e.g., one or more target SgNB nodes). For example, asdepicted, the cell site 110 is associated with the target nodes 240,250, and 260. Alternatively or additionally, one or more target nodesmay be associated with a plurality of cell sites as described hereinwith reference to FIG. 3 .

In some examples, the node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B) maydetermine the one or more signal strengths are within a delta rangethreshold. The delta range threshold may be defined by an operator orgenerated by a system, component, or device local to or remote from thenetwork environment 200. The delta range threshold may be 5 dB, 10 dB,or any other suitable threshold. In some embodiments, the nodemanagement system 120 may identify the one or more signal strengthsassociated with one or more target nodes 240, 250, and 260 within ageographic area. In turn, the node management system 120 may compareeach of the signal strengths to determine which of the signal strengthsare within the delta range threshold. For example, the node managementsystem 120 (e.g., the eNode B) may compare the signal strengths with theRSRPs measuring -90 dBm, -93 dBm, and -94 dBm and determine that theyare within the delta threshold range of 5 dB.

Responsive to determining that one more signal strengths associated withthe target nodes 240, 250, and 260 are within a delta threshold range,the node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B) may determine one ormore multi-technology thresholds (e.g., B1 threshold(s)) associated withthe one or more target nodes 240, 250, and 260. As used herein, the term“multi-technology threshold” may be used to refer to a threshold that isutilized during the mobility of the user device 130 to determine whetherto connect the user device 130 to different cells, nodes, and/ortechnology (e.g., 4G, LTE, 5G, etc.). In this regard, the nodemanagement system 120 may check the multi-technology threshold (e.g., B1threshold) settings of the target nodes (e.g., target SgNB nodes)reported by the user device 130. The node management system 120 maydetermine, for example, that the B1 threshold associated with the targetnode 240 is -93 dBm. In further examples, the node management system 120may determine the B1 threshold associated with the target node 250is-115 dBm and the B1 threshold associated with the target node 260 is-121 dBm.

The multi-technology thresholds (e.g., B1 threshold(s)) for eachfrequency band may be set to support the network environment 200. Forexample, the multi-technology thresholds for each frequency band may beset to support a telecommunication network (e.g., an EN-DC 5GNR NSAnetwork). In some embodiments, a multi-technology threshold may be setbased on one or more parameters such as, but not limited to, thefrequency band and/or channel bandwidth.

In some embodiments, the node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B)may determine the lowest multi-technology threshold (e.g., the lowest B1threshold) based on the magnitude of the one or more multi-technologythresholds (e.g., B1 threshold(s)) determined. Continuing with theexample above, the node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B) mayidentify the lowest multi-technology threshold based on the magnitude ofthe one or more multi-technology thresholds (e.g., -93 dBm, -115 dBm,and -121 dBm) associated with the target node(s) reported by the userdevice 130. Accordingly, the node management system 120 may determinethe B1 threshold with a magnitude of -121 dBm associated with the targetnode 260 is the lowest B1 threshold as compared to the magnitude of theB1 threshold(s) associated with target nodes 240 and 250.

In some embodiments, the node management system 120 may assign the userdevice 130 to the target node associated with the lowestmulti-technology threshold determined. The assignment (e.g., theselection) of the target node (e.g., the target SgNB node) may be basedon the magnitude of the multi-technology threshold set (e.g., the lowestmulti-technology threshold). In some examples, the assignment of thetarget node may be based on a plurality of selection parameters that mayinclude the magnitude of the multi-technology threshold, the signalstrength (e.g., the RSRP), or any other suitable selection parameter.The node management system 120 (e.g., the eNodeB) then prioritizes and,in turn, assigns the user device 130 to the target node associated withthe lowest multi-technology threshold (e.g., the target node 260 thathas the B1 threshold of -121 dBm) as compared to the target node withhigher multi-technology threshold (e.g., the target node 240 with the B1threshold of -90 dBm).

Advantageously, assigning the user device 130 to the target nodeselected based on the magnitude of the multi-technology thresholdincreases the geographic area in which the user device may operate in amobile state (e.g., a state in which the user device moves across,within, or external to a network) without the possibility of disruptionsuch as without the need for a handoff event. For example, assigning theuser device to the target node selected based on the magnitude of themulti-technology threshold prevents the need to re-initialize orotherwise identify another target node and handoff the user device tothat target node when the user device moves between point A and B orotherwise within the geographic area of the target node 260. The targetnode 260 covers more area than the target nodes 240 and 250 such thatselection of the target node based on the magnitude of themulti-technology threshold (e.g., the B1 threshold) extends the coverageof the telecommunication network (e.g., a 5G New Radio network or anyother suitable network).

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the network environment 300 (e.g., atelecommunication network such as, but not limited to, a wirelesstelecommunication network) according to an example embodiment. In thepresent embodiment, the network environment 300 includes the cell site110, cell site 310, node management system 120, user device 130, and oneor more target nodes 320 and 330. Although some of the components in thenetwork environment 300 are depicted as single components (e.g., asingle user device or node management system), in some embodiments, thenetwork environment 300 may include a plurality of such components from1 to N.

In some examples, the node management system 120 may be structured toreceive one or more signal strengths (e.g., the RSRP) associated withone or more target nodes. As depicted, the signal strengths associatedwith the target nodes 320 and 330 may be received by the node managementsystem 120. In some embodiments the first cell site 110 may include thenode management system 120. The node management system 120 may becommunicatively coupled to the user device 130 such that the nodemanagement system 120 (e.g., eNodeB or eNB) may receive the signalstrengths reported by the user device 130 that are associated with thetarget nodes 320 and 330. For example, the user device 130 may report asignal strength associated with the target node 320 that measures a RSRPof-78 dBm and a signal strength associated with the target node 330 thatmeasures a RSRP of -81 dBm to the node management system 120.

In some embodiments, the one or more target nodes may correspond to oneor more secondary cell sites. For example, the target node 330 maycorrespond to the secondary cell site 310. The secondary cell site 310may include one or more amplifiers, antennas, base transmitter stations,radios, transmitter/receivers, digital signal processors, controlelectronics, GPS equipment, power cabinets or power supply, basestations, charging stations, etc. such that the cell site 310 mayprovide a communication link between one or more user devices and othercomponents, systems, equipment, and/or devices of the networkenvironment 300. The cell site 310 may be operable in a non-stand alonemode (e.g., operable in an EN-DC network) or in a stand alone mode(e.g., operable in a 5G network or any other suitable network).

The node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B) may compare each ofthe signal strengths to determine which of the signal strengths arewithin the delta range threshold. In this regard, the node managementsystem 120 may compare the signal strengths with the RSRPs measuring -78dBm and -81 dBm. In turn, the node management system 120 may determinethat they are within the delta threshold range of, for example, 5 dB.

In some examples, the node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B) maydetermine one or more multi-technology thresholds (e.g., B1threshold(s)) associated with the one or more target nodes 320 and 330(e.g., target SgNB nodes). The node management system 120 may check themulti-technology threshold settings of the target nodes 320 and 330reported by the user device 130. The node management system 120 maydetermine that the multi-technology threshold (e.g., B1 threshold)associated with the target node 320 is, for example, -100 dBm. In someembodiments, the node management system 120 may determine themulti-technology threshold associated with the target node 330 is -112dBm.

The node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B) may determine thelowest multi-technology threshold based on the magnitude of themulti-technology thresholds determined. Alternatively or additionally,the node management system 120 (e.g., the eNode B) may identify thelowest multi-technology threshold (e.g., the lowest B1 threshold) basedon the magnitude of the one or more multi-technology thresholds (e.g.,B1 threshold(s)) (e.g.,-100 dBm and -112 dBm) associated with the targetnodes 320 and 330 reported by the user device 130. The multi-technologythreshold that has a magnitude of -112 dBm associated with the targetnode 330 may be determined by the node management system 120 to be thelowest multi-technology threshold in comparison to the magnitude of -100dBm of the multi-technology threshold associated with the target node320.

The node management system 120 may assign the user device 130 to thetarget node associated with the lowest multi-technology thresholddetermined. For example, the node management system 120 may assign theuser device 130 to the target node 330 that has the lowestmulti-technology threshold of -112 dBm. The target node assigned may becorrespond to the first cell site (e.g., the cell site 110) associatedwith the node management system 120. Alternatively or additionally, thetarget node assigned may be associated with a secondary cell site (e.g.,the secondary cell site 310).

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 for extendingcoverage of a telecommunication network, in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure. Initially at block 402 one ormore signal strengths associated with one or more target nodes arereceived by a node management system. The signal strength may be ameasure of at least one of a RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, or any other signalmeasurement. In some embodiments, the one or more target nodes maycorrespond to one or more frequency bands (e.g., a frequency range thatincludes a lower frequency and an upper frequency). The node managementsystem may be communicatively coupled to one or more user devices suchthat the node management system receives the signal strength of eachtarget node reported by the user device(s). In some embodiments, thenode management system may receive the signal strength of each targetnode within a geographic region.

At block 404, the one or more signal strengths within a delta rangethreshold are determined by the node management system. The delta rangethreshold may be 5 dB, 10 dB, or any other suitable threshold. In someembodiments, the node management system 120 may identify the one or moresignal strengths associated with one or more target nodes. The nodemanagement system may compare each of the signal strengths to determinewhich of the signal strengths are within the delta range threshold.

One or more multi-technology thresholds (e.g., B1 threshold(s))associated with the one or more target nodes is determined at block 406.The node management system may check the multi-technology thresholdsettings of the target nodes (e.g., target SgNB nodes) reported by theuser device.

At block 408, the lowest multi-technology threshold is determined basedon the one or more multi-technology thresholds. The node managementsystem (e.g., the eNode B) may determine the lowest multi-technologythreshold (e.g., the lowest B1 threshold) based on the magnitude of theone or more multi-technology thresholds determined. Accordingly, thenode management system may compare the magnitude of the multi-technologythreshold(s) associated with the target node(s). In some embodiments,the node management system may identify the lowest multi-technologythreshold based on which multi-technology threshold has the lowestmagnitude among each of the multi-technology thresholds determined.

At block 410, the user device is assigned to the target node associatedwith the lowest multi-technology threshold determined. In this regard,the node management system may prioritize the target node associatedwith the lowest multi-technology threshold. The user device may then beassigned to the target node(s) associated with the lowestmulti-technology threshold. The target node assigned may correspond tothe first cell site associated with the node management system. In someexamples, the target node assigned may be associated with a secondarycell site.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a block diagram of an example of a computingdevice 500 suitable for use in implementations of the technologydescribed herein is provided. In particular, the exemplary computerenvironment is shown and designated generally as computing device 500.Computing device 500 is but one example of a suitable computingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should computingdevice 500 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated. Inaspects, the computing device 500 may be a base station. In anotherembodiment, the computing device 500 may be UE capable of two-waywireless communications with an access point. Some non-limiting examplesof the computing device 500 include a base station, a controller at abase station, a backhaul server, a personal computer, a cell phone,current UE, legacy UE, a tablet, a pager, a personal electronic device,a wearable electronic device, an activity tracker, a laptop, and thelike.

The implementations of the present disclosure may be described in thegeneral context of computer code or machine-useable instructions,including computer-executable instructions such as program components,being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal dataassistant or other handheld device. Generally, program components,including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, andthe like, refer to code that performs particular tasks or implementsparticular abstract data types. Implementations of the presentdisclosure may be practiced in a variety of system configurations,including handheld devices, consumer electronics, general-purposecomputers, specialty computing devices, etc. Implementations of thepresent disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices thatare linked through a communications network.

As shown in FIG. 5 , computing device 500 includes a bus 502 thatdirectly or indirectly couples various components together. The bus 502may directly or indirectly one or more of memory 504, processor(s) 506,presentation component(s) 508 (if applicable), radio(s) 510,input/output (I/O) port(s) 512, input/output (I/O) component(s) 514,power supply 516, and/or transmitter(s) 518. Although the components ofFIG. 5 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality,delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, thelines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one mayconsider a presentation component(s) 508 such as a display device to beone of I/O components 514. Also, the processor(s) 506 may include memory504, in another example. The present disclosure hereof recognizes thatsuch is the nature of the art, and reiterates that FIG. 5 is merelyillustrative of an example of a computing device 500 that may be used inconnection with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.Distinction is not made between such categories as “workstation,”“server,” “laptop,” “handheld device,” etc., as all are contemplatedwithin the scope of the present disclosure and refer to “computer” or“computing device.”

Memory 504 may take the form of memory components described herein.Thus, further elaboration will not be provided here, but it should benoted that memory 504 may include any type of tangible medium that iscapable of storing information, such as a database or data store. Adatabase or data store may be any collection of records, files, orinformation encoded as electronic data and stored in memory 504, forexample. In one embodiment, memory 504 may include a set of embodiedcomputer-readable and executable instructions that, when executed,facilitate various functions or elements disclosed herein. Theseembodied instructions will variously be referred to as “instructions” oran “application” for short.

Processor(s) 506 may be multiple processors that receive instructionsand process them accordingly. Presentation component(s) 508, ifavailable, may include a display device, an audio device such as aspeaker, and/or other components that may present information throughvisual (e.g., a display, a screen, a lamp (LED), a graphical userinterface (GUI), and/or even lighted keyboards), auditory, and/or othertactile or sensory cues.

Radio(s) 510 represents one or more radios that facilitate communicationwith a wireless telecommunication network. For example, radio(s) 510 maybe connected to one or more antenna elements through a physical path.Illustrative wireless telecommunications technologies include CDMA,GPRS, TDMA, GSM, and the like. Radio(s) 510 might additionally oralternatively facilitate other types of wireless communicationsincluding Wi-Fi, WiMAX, 4G, 3G, 4G, LTE, mMIMO, 5G, NR, VoLTE, and/orother VoIP communications. As can be appreciated, in variousembodiments, radio(s) 510 may be configured to concurrently supportmultiple technologies, as previously discussed herein. As such, each ofmany radio(s) 510 may be used to separately control portions of anantenna array, for example, where at least one portion utilizes adistinct technology relative to another portion in the same antennaarray or at the same base station or cell site. A wirelesstelecommunication network might include an array of devices, which arenot shown so as to not obscure more relevant aspects of the invention.Components such as a base station, a communications tower, or evenaccess points (as well as other components) can provide wirelessconnectivity in some embodiments.

The input/output (I/O) ports 512 may take a variety of forms. ExemplaryI/O ports 512 may include a USB jack, a stereo jack, an infrared port, afirewire port, other proprietary communications ports, and the like.Input/output (I/O) components 514 may comprise keyboards, microphones,speakers, touchscreens, and/or any other item usable to directly orindirectly input data into the computing device 500.

Power supply 516 may include batteries, fuel cells, and/or any othercomponent that may act as a power source to supply power to thecomputing device 500 or to other network components, including throughone or more electrical connections or couplings. Power supply 516 may beconfigured to selectively supply power to different componentsindependently and/or concurrently.

Finally, regarding FIGS. 1 through 5 , it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the environment(s), system(s), and/ormethods(s) depicted are not intended to limit the scope of use orfunctionality of the present embodiments. Similarly, the environment(s),system(s), and/or methods(s) should not be interpreted as imputing anydependency and/or any requirements with regard to each component, eachstep, and combination(s) of components or step(s) illustrated therein.It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art thatthe connections illustrated the figures are contemplated to potentiallyinclude methods, hardware, software, and/or other devices forestablishing a communications link between the components, devices,systems, and/or entities, as may be utilized in implementation of thepresent embodiments. As such, the absence of component(s) and/orsteps(s) from the figures should be not be interpreted as limiting thepresent embodiments to exclude additional component(s) and/orcombination(s) of components. Moreover, though devices and components inthe figures may be represented as singular devices and/or components, itwill be appreciated that some embodiments can include a plurality ofdevices and/or components such that the figures should not be consideredas limiting the number of devices and/or components.

It is noted that aspects of the present invention are described hereinwith reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. However,it should be understood that each block of the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustrations may be implemented in the form of a computerprogram product, an entirely hardware embodiment, a combination ofhardware and computer program products, and/or apparatus, systems,computing devices/entities, computing entities, and/or the like carryingout instructions, operations, steps, and similar words usedinterchangeably (e.g., the executable instructions, instructions forexecution, program code, and/or the like) on a computer-readable storagemedium for execution. For example, retrieval, loading, and execution ofcode may be performed sequentially such that one instruction isretrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some embodiments,retrieval, loading, and/or execution may be performed in parallel suchthat multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executedtogether. Thus, such embodiments can produce specifically-configuredmachines performing the steps or operations specified in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations. Accordingly, the block diagramsand flowchart illustrations support various combinations of embodimentsfor performing the specified instructions, operations, or steps.

Additionally, as should be appreciated, various embodiments of thepresent disclosure described herein can also be implemented as methods,apparatus, systems, computing devices/entities, computing entities,and/or the like. As such, embodiments of the present disclosure can takethe form of an apparatus, system, computing device, computing entity,and/or the like executing instructions stored on a computer-readablestorage medium to perform certain steps or operations. However,embodiments of the present disclosure can also take the form of anentirely hardware embodiment performing certain steps or operations.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the scopeof the claims below. Embodiments of our technology have been describedwith the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after andbecause of reading it. Alternative means of implementing theaforementioned may be completed without departing from the scope of theclaims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility andmay be employed without reference to other features and subcombinationsand are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for extending coverage of atelecommunication network, the system comprising: a first node; a secondnode; and a node management module communicatively coupled to a userdevice, the node management module configured to: determine a firstmulti-technology threshold associated with the first node; determine asecond multi-technology threshold associated with the second node;determine a lowest multi-technology threshold based on the first and thesecond multi-technology thresholds; and assign the user device to thesecond node based on the determination that the second node has thelowest multi-technology threshold.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst node is a different radio access technology than the second node.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first node and the second nodecomprise non-standalone 5G.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprisingthe node management module receiving one or more signal strengthsassociated with the first node and the second node.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the one or more signal strengths are within a deltarange threshold.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first node andthe second node are associated with a cell site or a plurality of cellsites.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first node and the secondnode correspond to one or more frequency bands, and further comprisingone or more signal strengths comprising a measure of at least one of areference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal receivedquality (RSRQ), or receive strength signal indicator (RSSI).
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the node management module comprises anevolved node B.
 9. A system for extending coverage of atelecommunication network, the system comprising: one or more receivers;and one or more computer processing components configured to performoperations comprising: reporting signal strength of two or more targetnodes having unique cell identifiers; receiving a multi-technologythreshold associated with each of the two or more target nodes;determining a first node of the two or more target nodes has a lowestmulti-technology threshold; and attaching to the first node based onsaid determination associated with the lowest multi-technology thresholddetermined.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the multi-technologythreshold is set based on at least one of a frequency band or channelbandwidth.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the signal strength iswithin a delta range threshold.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein thetwo or more target nodes comprise non-standalone 5G.
 13. A method forextending coverage of a telecommunication network, the methodcomprising: reporting signal strength of two or more target nodes havingunique cell identifiers; receiving a multi-technology thresholdassociated with each of the two or more target nodes; determining afirst node of the two or more target nodes has a lowest multi-technologythreshold; and attaching to the first node based on said determinationassociated with the lowest multi-technology threshold determined. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the two or more target nodes correspondsto one or more frequency bands, and wherein the signal strengthcomprises a measure of at least one of a reference signal received power(RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or receive strengthsignal indicator (RSSI).
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the two ormore target nodes are associated with a cell site or a plurality of cellsites.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a telecommunication networkcomprises the cell site, and wherein the telecommunication network isoperable in a non-standalone mode or standalone mode.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the telecommunication network comprises an E-UTRAN NewRadio-Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) network.
 18. The method of claim 13,further comprising a node management system that comprises a masternode, and wherein the master node is communicatively coupled to a userdevice.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the multi-technologythreshold is set based on at least one of a frequency band or channelbandwidth.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the signal strength iswithin a delta range threshold.